IWATAKE SKI RESORT

Great uncrowded allrounder

IwatakeisnotthehighestskiresortinHakubaintermsofaltitude,but itisanexcellentmediumsizeresort.Bestthingaboutitisthatmany peoplegotooneofthebetterknownresortsinsteadandgiveIwatake a miss so it is never crowded except for New Years. The Resort in DetailMostoftheterrainisintermediateandwillsuitandchallengemost skiersandboarders.Therearefantastic360°viewsoftheJapanAlps fromthetopandthereisagreatsnowpark.Theonedrawbackwould bethatearlyandlateseasonitcanbeabitsketchyforsnow,because of it's altitude. Beginners coursesThebestbeginnerscourseisattheSawacoursebutitwon’tsuitfirst timerswhicharebetteroffatTsugaikeorGoryu.Forintermediate ridersnearlyallofthecourseswillplease,butthesouthslope(goleft and straight down off the gondola) is probably the pick of them. Tree runsTheyalsohaveanumberofdesignatedtreerunswhichareexcellent onasnowyday.Forpowderhoundsthe“View”coursesonthe backsideofthemountainarethego(ViewAisalargenaturalgully andisthebest),whenyougetoffthegondolajustgostraightahead keeping the bakery on your right and and you will find it. Terrain ParkIwatake’sDCParkisoneofthebetteronesinHakuba.Hasanumber of kickers, tables, boxes , rails and so on.Places to eatUptopthereistheskyarcresortinthebighallontherightasyouget offthegondola.Normalbellyfillingskiresortfoodsuchascurryison themenuhere.Alsouptopsince2018istheMountainHarbour Bakery/CafewithboththebestviewingdeckinHakubaandthebest muffins.Don’tmissit.Downatthebottomtothesouthofthegondola isthewesternstyleHakubaBrewPubwhichbesidesbrewingitsown brandofbeer,hasarangeoftypicalpubgourmetsuchasburgersand fish and chips. ChildrenTherearenospecifickidssnowareas.Fordaycareyoucanoffload yourkids(between18mths&6yrs)atEvergreenwhichcosts12,000forafullday(09.30-15.30includeslunch).Therearehalfdayoptions available too.Places to stay and getting thereMostpeopleprefertostayinHakubaitselfbutifyoudowanttostay nearbyseethispageforalistofplacestostay.Iwatakeis5-10mins bycarfromthecentreofHakuba-thereisfreeparking.Oryoucan usethefreeshuttlebusesifyoudon’thavewheels.Forcarrentals check out our car rental page.

IwatakeisnotthehighestskiresortinHakubaintermsof altitude,butitisanexcellentmediumsizeresort.Bestthing aboutitisthatmanypeoplegotooneofthebetterknown resortsinsteadandgiveIwatakeamisssoitisnever crowded except for New Years.